The Ethical Principles were constructed to guide psychologist towards the highest ethical ideals and standards (APA, 2002). Although, I feel that all Ethical Principles on the APA website are extremely important, I believe Principles A, C, and D are the most prominent when it comes to research.

Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence

This principle promotes a moral obligation to do good onto others. As a Psychologist it is important to always strive to do good and continue to improve the conditions, treatment procedures, and rights of patients (Fisher, 2013). The purpose of this principle is not only to help individuals under your care but your community as well. By large, they aim is to increase scientific and professional knowledge and minimizing mistreatment and injury, along with upholding legal and ethical practices. Violating this principle could cause major harm to patients or participants, especially if a psychologist or researcher neglects certain treatment that may be beneficial to an individual or purposefully harms and an indivdual with medicine or treatment.

Principle C: Inegrity

This principle summarizes what psychologist should not do and emphasizing the negative effects that can occur when someone lies, cheats, or manipulates data (Fisher, 2013). A major part of a psychologist’s obligation is to consider all the consequences of their acts. In the past we have witnessed several publicized cases that shown the harmful effects of manipulation, deception, and fraud. Experiments such the Tuskegee Syphilis show us what can go wrong when psychologist knowly harm patients, fail to treat patients appropriately, and refuse to accurately report test results.

Principle D: Justice

Fisher (2013), states that Principle D: Justice "calls for psychologists to strive to provide to all people fair, equitable, and appropriate access to treatment and to the benefits of scientific knowledge. This principle ensures that all psychologist must entitle all people to equal services, that they exercise reasonable judgement and guard against their own biases, prejudices, or unjust practices (Fisher, 2013). The purpose of this principle is to make sure that nobody is denied treatment, but instead able to equally benefit from all psychological services and advancements regardless of their race, sex, religion, age, and socio-economic background. This principle is one of the most important because it enforces open access to all.

Overall, ethics plays and important part in guiding professionals on their decision making. As practicing professional psychologists, we are ethically bound to these principles found in the APA Ethics Code.

References

American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. American Psychologist, 57(12), 1060-1073.

Within the Ethical Principles and Code of conduct there are two things to always keep in mind when conducting research. I believe that Principle I and Principle IV seem to be the most important. Principle I is about informed consent where it is the researcher's responsibility to make sure their participants are aware of the procedure and their decision to partiipate. Principle IV is about keeping confidentiality and protecting the participant's personal information from being disclosed to other third parties.

Principle I is important especially to its participants because they want to become aware of how their involvement can contribute to the psychological world. Participants look to see what studies they can choose to participate when being told about the ethical practicesn within the study. I think principle IV is important because participants want to be able to trust a study before they undergo any kinds of procedures. Knowing that there will be 100% confidentiality it will allow the participant to feel comfortable and open up more in the study.